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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Did you feel the incision during your c-section?

29 replies

nrvsmum2b · 12/07/2011 11:39

I am 30 weeks and will be having a c section. I have been told that even though I won't feel pain, you do feel the pressure of the scalpel going across your belly when the Doctor makes the incision. Please tell me if this was your case, as I want to be mentally prepared for that if that is the case. Please also let me didn't feel that at all, as that is also comforting to know! (the thought of feeling that sensation of the scalpel going across me, even without pain, makes me rather nervous and uncomfortable)

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ilovesprouts · 12/07/2011 11:40

no i never felt a thing

MrsHoolie · 12/07/2011 11:42

No I couldn't feel that. I could feel the tugging of them getting the baby out but no pain.
You can't feel the catheter going in either,and that's the first thing they do after numbing you.

imcassie · 12/07/2011 11:43

I felt lots of tugging and pulling which I assumed was them pulling the baby out but I suppose it could have been them making the incision. They told me to expect a sensation similar to someone washing the dishes inside my tummy! Very odd but that was exactly what it felt like.

cheesebaby · 12/07/2011 11:48

No! Not a thing. I didn't even realise they'd started until they said "right, we're about to break your waters"

You might feel them pushing on your upper abdomen, or tugging to get the baby out, but it's def a pressure sensation rather than pain.

I genuinely loved my CS (elective) and spent weeks telling everyone who'd listen that I'd do it again tomorrow, so it can't have been too bad!

mrsmon · 12/07/2011 11:51

never felt a thing! exept for the odd pushing and pulling but i did see it! lol

dont look up in to the big shiny lights they are like mirrors! all of a sudden felt very faint! lol x

vanimal · 12/07/2011 11:53

Never felt a thing.

ninedragons · 12/07/2011 11:56

Didn't feel a thing.

The drug they give you to contract your uterus (I think) makes you feel like you're going to be violently sick, but it passes in less than a minute. That was the worst thing about the whole business, from go to whoa.

ShoutyHamster · 12/07/2011 11:57

I too did not even realise they'd started. Did feel sort of pulling and tugging but it was such an odd set of sensations, I couldn't 'match' it to anything I'd felt before and therefore wasn't able to think 'Ohh they're doing x' - if that makes sense. If you do feel 'pressure' from the scalpel you won't be able to actually place the feeling I would think. It was all a case of 'this is soooo weird' - certainly not scary.

And it was all over so quickly!

NarcissaMalfoy · 12/07/2011 12:01

Nope I didn't feel a thing. The worst big for me was the needle in my back.
They lifted my legs onto the table and I could see them doing it but couldn't feel it - most odd.

fruitybread · 12/07/2011 14:54

No. All I felt was a bit of pushing and tugging at various points. As others have said, strange but not painful. It shouldn't hurt at all.

I think FWIW that if you imagine the sensation of a scalpel cutting you, then you tend to think of a thin sharp line of pain or sensation. The way anaesthetic works means you don't feel anything very specific like that. It's all more 'spread out' - so you wouldn't feel anyone poking you with a finger, but if they leaned on you with both hands, you would be aware of some general pressure.

I hope that makes sense, I wish I could put it more clearly.

mumblebum · 12/07/2011 14:57

No. As with the others there were some strange sensations but nothing identifiable and nothing painful. I think the best description I heard was it's like someone doing the washing up in your tummy.

VeryHungryKatypillar · 12/07/2011 16:09

Nope - didn't feel anything that could have been a scalpel - but did feel tugging and pulling as they retrieved DD. One word of warning if you are squeamish - don't look at the light above your head. I did and was just thinking "what is that red stuff reflected in the light"... when my brain worked it out (it was my tummy) and averted my eyes. Good job I had a baby to gaze at to take my mind of it at that point.

Original poster

nrvsmum2b · 12/07/2011 17:11

These answers are fantastic. I have been so upset and worried about laying there, being unable to move and feeling (without pain) the incision being made by the scalpel. The mere thought of that has been making me so upset. I really do not want to know when they are 'starting' -I just want to know when they are taking her out. Unidentifiable sensations are fine by me. What was the best way to take your mind off of the procedure while it was happening?

OP posts:

fruitybread · 12/07/2011 19:02

I had no idea when they were 'starting' - I was just numbed, they kept sweeping an ice cube over me and asking when I could feel it, then they got a curtain up, there was some intermittent pulling and tugging, and then they lifted up a baby!

Btw, you can mention to your MW if you have any strong preferences or things you'd rather avoid during your CS (you can of course do a birth plan if you want to). Some women seem to really want to know what's going on, others really don't want to know. You can let them know which you prefer.

I used breathing and relaxation techniques when the spinal was put in - which was fine, the only pain was from the anaesthetic injection they give you before they site the spinal needle. No more than you'd get at the dentist (less, in fact - I can't stand injections in my mouth).

If you want, you could do some basic prep in terms of breathing and relaxation/visualisation exercises - you don't have to have a VB for these things to be helpful! I use them in traffic jams...

But if you don't fancy it, remember that there is a surgical team there who are very used to dealing with anxious patients, and it is part of their job to keep you calm and happy. I had a wonderful anaesthetist, who was friendly and chatty (not too chatty), and reassuring - they sit right by your head, and have to monitor how you are, blood pressure etc, and so it is in their interests to have a good relationship with you in theatre, and to communicate well.

It really is over very fast. They get the baby out very quickly - most of the time is spent stitching you up afterwards, but by then you will have a baby to gaze at and touch, so that time goes by very fast. Or did for me, anyway. DS was held up for me to see - applauded by theatre staff as he yelled! - taken to the side of the room, within my sight for cord cutting and cleaning, and then plonked beside my head straightaway so I could touch him and say hello etc.

Btw. I read a brilliant description of a CS on this board very recently - I'll try and find it, you might find it useful.

fruitybread · 12/07/2011 19:06

Here - trinaluce's second post is a detailed description of what happens during a CS. If you really don't want to know anything at all about the process, then I wouldn't read it! But if you just mean you don't want a blow by blow account of yours, but want to know more about the procedure, it's very well written IMO.

BagofHolly · 12/07/2011 23:18

Didn't feel a thing. Didnt even feel it when a bloke that looked like he was in Slipknot, popped a suppository up my bum as I chatted to my husband! It's all a bit surreal - it feels like it's going on about 15 feet away, down the other end of the room. It's a very lovely, pain free way to give birth!

bellabelly · 12/07/2011 23:23

Have had 2 c-sections, didn't feel a thing with either of them, even though 'd mentally prepared myself for being able to feel a sort of tugging/rummaging sensation that you sometimes hear people talking about. With both of my c-sects (done in 2 different hospitals) , they checked that I was numb by spraying something cold (water?) on me and asking if I could feel it. I couldn't feel anything at all from the chest downwards. Your arms, neck etc just feel totally normal though which is nice.

Good luck with it all - both my c-sects were a fantastic experience, hope yours is too!

TrinaLuciusMalfoy · 13/07/2011 14:01

Thanks for the rec fruity - but I think you meant to include this

Was just going to add - no, you shouldn't feel any pain. You may feel something, but it shouldn't be pain, and if what you start to feel changes tell the anaesthetist, he's usually right by your head.

fruitybread · 13/07/2011 15:17

Doh - thank you trina, yes, I posted to leave a link, forgot link.

Anyway, your post is very good!

Hulababy · 13/07/2011 15:20

I felt no pain at all. I remember feeling some pressure and pulling when they were taking DD out, but nothing of the initial bits.

ckny1 · 14/07/2011 11:33

Also felt no pain, no incision, and no pulling/tugging (though doctor later said they had quite a struggle b/c my rectal muscles were so strong from the Pilates! :) ))

Like Narcissa, I was mostly freaked by the spinal going in, then seeing my legs being moved a minute afterwards though not feeling a thing. However, overall it was the best experience of my life and all under 25 minutes!!!!! :)

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/07/2011 11:40

Can someone please tell me what exactly happens in a c sec. I have no idea, had a VB last time, have no reason to think it would be otherwise this time but it might I guess.

Appreciate that they differ but generally speaking, you're wheeled into theatre (I assume) and then what?

munstersmum · 14/07/2011 11:40

Didn't feel a thing. Consultant held up DS so I could see him before they did APGAR & all I managed was 'that was quick' to which he replied 'you should see us in a hurry!'.

Be ready for the embarassment of walking from the ward to the op theatre in gown & paper knicks! You do get a ride back

kenobi · 14/07/2011 11:42

I felt so little that my DH told me when they said to me 'We'll start in about 5 minutes' they'd already made the incsion. Very clever managing of my expectations!
Admittedly I'd been on an epi drip for 18 hours at that point so I don't think my brain was even sure I had anything below the rib cage anymore...

ckny1: "they had quite a struggle b/c my rectal muscles were so strong" - please tell me this is not what you meant to say as I am dealing with some VERY odd images now...

kenobi · 14/07/2011 11:44

Gwendoline - click on Trina's link, it's very comprehensive

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